A professional pop culture junkie for more than 25 years, Jeff Giles regularly surfaces in a number of far-flung locations on the Web.
Jeff Giles
40 Years Ago: Journey Shapes Their Career With ‘Departure’
With their fifth studio album, 1979's 'Evolution,' Journey finally cracked the Top 20 of 'Billboard''s album chart — and they soared even higher when they returned the next year with the follow-up, 'Departure.'
How Van Halen Kept Their Streak Going With ‘Van Halen II’
"The '80s are coming and we're going to be the soundtrack," David Lee Roth declared.
How the Eagles Steered Toward Rock With ‘On the Border’
They were suddenly butting heads with producer Glyn Johns, who'd directed the band through their first two LPs.
Why Bad Company Stayed the Course on ‘Desolation Angels’
After some badly needed time away, they re-emerged with another solid 10-track slab of blues-influenced rock.
When Motley Crue Struggled to Move Ahead With a New Singer
With the biggest record of their career behind them, the band seemed poised to scale even greater heights.
The Story of Van Halen’s Injury-Plagued ‘Balance’ Tour
They were heading back out on the road with a No. 1 album on the chart — but trouble was brewing.
45 Years Ago: Billy Joel Toughens Up on ‘Glass Houses’
Turns out, fame just added sharper corners and greater heft to the chip he had on his shoulder.
How ‘Queen II’ Set the Stage For Everything That Followed
They were able to bring more focus – and, ultimately, a lot more ambition – to bear.